More New South Wales households have appliances that use water compared with 15 years ago, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The percentage of households with alternative sources of water (additional to mains water) has remained steady over the same period of time, representing around 7% of households connected to water mains in the state. Only 2% of mains-connected households in Sydney had an alternative water source, compared with 15% of households in the rest of NSW.

Around 35% of mains-connected households in NSW have a dishwasher - up from 21% in 1987. The percentage of households with two or more showers increased to 37% (up from 22% in 1987), while around 14% of households have three or more toilets, (up from 6% in 1987).

Outside of the home, the percentage of NSW households with a pool remained steady at 15%, while there was an increase in the use of garden mulch. Of those households with gardens (excluding flats, units or apartments), 65% used mulch, compared with 55% in 1987.

These findings are from a survey of NSW households in October 2002, and follow a similar survey conducted in NSW in 1987.

Further information is in Domestic Water Use, New South Wales(cat. no. 4616.1)

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